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Papa John’s tries to ease controversy on Twitter

Two weeks after Papa John’s CEO ignited a firestorm of controversy by blaming NFL player protests for weak ratings and the chain’s weak sales, the brand apologized in a series of tweets on Tuesday.

The Louisville, Ky.-based pizza chain said that comments CEO John Schnatter made earlier this month were business factors, and were not intended to be divisive.

The statements made on our earnings call were describing the factors that impact our business and we sincerely apologize to anyone that thought they were divisive. That definitely was not our intention. (1/3)

The company also attempted to calm both sides of what has become one of the most heated issues in American politics.

We believe in the right to protest inequality and support the players’ movement to create a new platform for change. We also believe together, as Americans, we should honor our anthem. There is a way to do both. (2/3)

Papa John’s additionally made a rather pointed comment aimed at neo-Nazi groups who urged each another to eat the chain’s pizza following Schnatter’s comments.

During Papa John’s third-quarter earnings call earlier this month, a clearly frustrated Schnatter blasted the NFL for the problems over the protests, blaming the league for weaker ratings that have in turn weighed down the chain’s sales.

“The NFL has hurt us,” Schnatter said. “More importantly, by not resolving the current debacle in a manner that was satisfactory to both sides, it has hurt Papa John’s shareholders.”

Papa John’s is an NFL sponsor and heavy advertiser during football games. Weaker ratings led the company to lower same-store sales expectations for the year. Same-store sales increased 1 percent in the quarter ended Sept. 24.

“I’m disappointed in the NFL and its leadership that they did not resolve this ongoing situation to the satisfaction of all parties,” Schnatter said during the call. “This should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago.”

Schnatter’s comments were widely reported, and Papa John’s was trending on Twitter for several hours afterwards.